If you had been standing outside Blue's house that day, you would have heard the pained wails of a girl. You would have heard her mourn. You might even have been able to enter the house, warn her not to trust the man who was comforting her. Warn her about the lies he was telling her.

"There, there," Red said,holding Blue close, soothing her. He had just told her how he had been just a little bit late. How the Masked Rocket assassin had finished his work by the time Red entered the room. How SIlver, the man she saw as a brother, was already dead by then, as was his father. How he had tried so hard to save him, but it had been too late.

"I knew something bad would happen," Blue whispered, her voice hoarse from crying. "I just knew it."

"There was nothing you could do," Red said, his voice soft. "Not this time."

"I could've been there, at least. I could've helped, somehow," she replied, burrowing her tear-stained face into his shoulder. Red felt a stab of guilt, but quickly pushed it away. There would be time for that, later.

"There is still something you can do," he told her. She looked up, and he felt the guilt return. Her eyes were red from crying, and smeared makeup covered her face. Would he feel that way if Yellow died? He shook his head. It was a stupid question. Of course he would.

"What?" Blue asked, causing Red to snap back to reality.

"Join me, Blue."

"J-join? What?"

"I'll take over Team Rocket," he said, grabbing her by the shoulders. "I'll change their objectives, and I'll use them to destroy the Masked Rockets. We can bring peace and order to the nation, and avenge Silver at the same time!"

Blue stared at him, her mouth hanging open, for what seemed an eternity. For a second, Red was afraid he had acted prematurely. That his offer had come too soon, or that he had said it the wrong way... But then she nodded, her face grim.

"You agree to do as I say?" he asked, making sure to keep his voice steady.

"Yes," she replied. "I'll follow you, and do whatever you say, as long as I can get my hands on Will and Karen and punish them for what they've done!"

"Very good," Red said, giving her a short hug. "You want me to stay for a while longer?"

"It's... It's okay. I might go visit Yellow for a while."

"That's a good idea."

"You know how to contact me."

"Yes," Red replied, getting to his feet. "I'll call you in a week."

She nodded, and he headed for the door. He had just put his hand on the door handle when she called out his name.

"Red?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you. For coming here to tell me, I mean. You have no idea how much that means to me," she told him. He felt a horrible burning sensation in his throat, as if he was about to throw up. There was a strange feeling of emptiness inside him as he turned around, forcing himself to smile at her.

"No problem," he managed. "Really. Just... Get some rest. I'll talk to you in a week."

After leaving Blue's house, Red walked around aimlessly for a while. He did not want to return to the Team Rocket headquarters, even though there was so much to be done. The date he had scheduled with Yellow was the next day, as well.

He sat on a park bench for a while, thinking things through. Should he call Yellow and tell her about Silver, or should he let Blue do that? After a couple of seconds, he decided to call her himself. Partially because he wanted to hear her voice, and partially because he was not sure Blue could make herself coherent enough for Yellow to understand what she was saying. He selected the phone function in his Pokégear and dialed her number.

"Hey Red!" came her voice, only a few seconds later.

"Hey Yellow, I need to speak with you."

"What is it? You sound serious... Did something happen?"

Yeah, I did something so horrible not even you could forgive me, Red thought to himself. He cleared his throat.

"It's about Silver," he said. "He's dead."

"What?" Yellow gasped. "How?"

"An assassin from the Masked Rockets got to him before I could speak to him about leaving Team Rocket. I just told Blue about it. She said she wanted to be alone, but I figured she would probably call you next. I just figured I'd prepare you for it."

"Prepare? But-"

"You're her best friend, Yellow," Red interrupted. "She'll come to you for support, and I know you will give it to her. We should probably postpone our date until this is dealt with."

"You're right. Yeah. I'll make sure to answer when she calls."

"Good, let me know when you've talked to her."

"Right."

"We should probably keep this line open," he continued. "Talk to you later?"

"Of course," Yellow replied, making an obvious effort at sounding more composed than she was. "I'll call you after I talk to her, then. Goodbye."

"Bye."

He ended the call and sat there for a while, staring at the phone. He realized there was something he should have told Blue, but he did not want to return now, as he would just interrupt her grieving process. Instead, he sent her a text message:

Blue, do not tell anyone about us and TR, especially not Yellow or Green.

Would be too difficult to explain to them right now. /Red

He sat there for a few more minutes, watching the people that walked by. A couple on a date. An old man walking his Pokémon. Children playing. They all seemed so... normal. None of them had any idea what a pivotal moment had just taken place, and it was unlikely any of them ever would.

After a while, he got up from the bench. It was time to return to his new headquarters. Surge would have had enough time to organize things for his takeover, and Janine would have had enough time for her own orders - to eliminate any possible threat to him and his new role in the organization.

It was time for the next step.

Red had been right about Blue calling. Yellow had barely had time to put the phone down before it started ringing again. She picked it up and, despite barely understanding what her older friend was saying, listened patiently. When Blue seemed to be finished, she spoke.

"Listen, Blue," she said. "I can come over if you want. You have a spare bed or something, right?"

"B-but you had your date with Red tomorrow," Blue replied, her voice shaky. "You've been so... so excited. I don't want to-"

"It's okay, Blue. Really. We can reschedule that. You need me now, though."

"Y-yeah, thanks. I think I have a spare bed or something. Are you sure-"

"Yes, of course. It's okay. I'll be there, as soon as I can."

They finished their conversation, then Yellow went upstairs to pack her bags. Pika and Chuchu, both still living with her, followed her up the stairs. Yellow picked them both up and hugged them tightly.

"You two want to stay here?" she asked. "You can protect the forest while I'm gone."

She sensed some curiosity in the two Pikachu, so she decided to elaborate.

"Blue needs me," she said. "I'm not sure how long I'll be gone. I'd bring you both with me, but I need someone I can trust to keep an eye on the forest. Will the two of you do that for me?"

The two Pikachu seemed to have noticed her anxiety, and they sent her feelings of reassurance. There was a lot of chaos out there right now, but the forest would not suffer from it. Yellow got to her feet, hoisting the small bag she had shoved some clothing and other essentials in.

"Alright, you two can take care of yourselves," she said, managing a small smile. "I just hope the rest of us can, as well."